Police investigating alleged rape of 12-year-old female student

Education and law enforcement officials here are tight-lipped over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old female student at school.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place at one of the nation’s rural co-ed secondary schools on Wednesday, January 31.

Reports are that the girl was exiting the school’s bathroom during school hours when she was allegedly attacked and raped by three male students.

The student is said to have fallen ill after returning to her class and was taken for medical attention, at which time she revealed what had happened to her. She was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) due to the extent of her injuries.

The alleged rapists have been detained by police and charges are expected to be laid soon, SEARCHLIGHT understands. One of the suspects is 17 years old and another 16. The age of the third is not known.

On Monday, SEARCHLIGHT contacted the principal of the school, who said that he could not comment on the issue.

When contacted yesterday, Minister of Education St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince said details on the incident are sketchy, and the Ministry of Education is awaiting reports from the principal of the institution and the police.

“We know there is an incident and police are investigating at the same time and we are awaiting reports from both the principal and the police and once we get that we will be able to make a statement. We don’t want to pre-empt,” said Prince.  

Inspector at the Police Public Relations Department Junior Simmons said that owing to the sensitive nature of the incident, the police cannot comment.(LC)